It will be the biggest talking point all season long, or at least until the team declares their decision: who will be quarterback for the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2024?

There are so many options at play for this team, which is both a blessing and a curse as the Steelers try and mull over this incredibly important roster decision.

Within even the team’s own fan base, there is plenty of divide as to what the Steelers should do. As a result, I’ve tried to break down the positives and negatives of each option that should be on the table for Pittsburgh.

I tried to make as compelling a case I could for each for and against.

Start Kenny Pickett In 2024

For: Despite his shortcomings in 2023, it cannot be denied that he was handcuffed under the regime of Matt Canada. It’s no coincidence that in the tea’s first game after firing Canada, they put up their first 400+ yard day on offense in 58 regular season games (which actually predated Canada’s time as offensive coordinator).

Unfortunately, that was the last game Kenny Pickett would finish. An injury against Arizona in Week 13 and a subsequent benching ended his season. Pittsburgh never got to evaluate Pickett as a quarterback without Canada hanging over him. The upcoming season should provide the chance with a real OC that he never got.

Against: In 12 games at quarterback for the Steelers, Kenny Pickett had a mere six touchdown passes. That’s not NFL caliber. In addition, his same old issues became all the more glaring in his sophomore year: missing open receivers, poor pocket presence, spinning into sacks, and a lack of ability to stay healthy. That last one may not be his fault, but it’s a knock on him regardless.

It’s also no coincidence that the team scored their first 30+ point game all season long as soon as Mason Rudolph made his first start. Even after Pickett was healthy, he was benched in favor of a guy that all 31 other teams passed on last year in free agency. That’s damning for any player, let alone a former first round pick.

Start Mason Rudolph In 2024

For: Assuming he is willing to come back, the Steelers would be insane to not bring him back. Mason Rudolph saved the season, dragging a 7-7 sorry Steelers team into the postseason with a three game winning streak to end the year. Under Rudolph, the team scored 30+ points in back to back weeks, something that hadn’t happened in years. He also became the first quarterback since Ben Roethlisberger to throw for 250+ yards and 2+ touchdowns in a game.

Aside from that, he clearly has learned a lot from the sidelines during these last few years. A lot of the issues we remembered Mason having in 2019, the last time he really saw playing time, either were erased altogether or significantly reduced. Most of all, the team had a different feeling after Mason took over; they had bought in in a way that we did not see under Kenny Pickett or Mitch Trubisky.

Against: Linsanity runs happen in sports all the time. In 2019, Mason was on the wrong end of one, when he lost his job to Duck Hodges. Yes, his end of the season stretch was impressive, but as he faced tougher defenses, the margins of his success diminished. No offense to Cincinnati or Seattle, but they were not top of the league defenses in 2023. When he faced Baltimore (even with some rested starters) and Buffalo in the postseason, he did not look nearly as impressive.

There’s no guarantee that this version of Mason Rudolph is the guy we see again in 2024. If he reverts back to his old self, or even suffers a dip in performance against the tougher defenses, the Steelers aren’t a lot, if any better off, at the quarterback position, which is now costing them more money. And then, you have to start over again.

Have Pickett And Rudolph Battle For The Starters Job

For: As of now, the two main competitors for the job in 2024 are Kenny Pickett and Mason Rudolph. So, why not let them battle it out in training camp? Re-sign Rudolph with the guarantee he will have a legitimate chance at the quarterback job, and let the best man win.

Rudolph will be riding the high of what he accomplished in 2023, and Pickett should be fueled by a desire to re-claim what he likely thinks is rightfully his. One of them should separate and lead the way, giving you your answer at the position for 2024.

Against: Kenny Pickett has already proven that we cannot trust preseason results. After an absolutely dominant season, Pickett followed it up with statistically, one of the worst seasons in the NFL this year. Even if he performs well in the preseason again, how are we to believe that he is the real deal this time?

At the same time, neither Pickett nor Rudolph has shown much to suggest that they can handle being a full-time, multi-year starter. Hitching your wagon to the quarterback having to be any one of these two could lead to serious trouble if they falter, which they have shown they can do in the past.

Draft A Quarterback In The Early Rounds

For: Time to start completely over. In a year that has several promising names in its quarterback class, the Steelers would be stupid to not take their chances on a big name in the draft. Unlike Pickett’s draft class, this year actually has many top prospects, and more guys with (ideally) better chances of succeeding. Kenny Pickett didn’t work out; Mason Rudolph is probably heading elsewhere. The time to draft a new QB is now.

I won’t get into exactly who, because that’s too many scenarios, but any of the first/second round names should be on the table. Four years of a quarterback on a rookie deal, and the chance to start again with a young talented guy who can better utilize the talents of guys like George Pickens and Diontae Johnson. Drafting someone high new helps the entire offense reset, and eliminates any clouding of the position.

Against: This team has so many needs on its roster, they should not be using a top pick on a quarterback. Pittsburgh’s needs on the offensive line, defensive depth, and youth in several areas should be put ahead of quarterback, when there are so many other options to solving the quarterback position.

Trade, free agency (both to be mentioned later), and two guys who are already on the roster all represent options, while the top draft picks should be used to plug one of the several other holes within the roster, including finding a center and another offensive lineman to assist any quarterback who takes the job in 2024.

Draft A Quarterback In The Late Rounds

For: Even if the Steelers don’t use a top end pick on a quarterback, using a later round selection on a guy could do wonders for this team. I’m not talking about someone like Chris Oladokun (if you don’t know who that is, that’s the point), but someone who is hungry for an opportunity and could pose a threat to whoever takes the starting job in 2024, whether that be Pickett or Rudolph.

Having a new draft pick who is eager for a chance will force Pickett/Rudolph to be at their best, or risk getting pushed down the depth chart. In this scenario, you can also keep both Pickett and Rudolph and let the three of them battle it out.

Against: If you’re going to draft a quarterback, commit to that idea and make it a top end pick. Adding someone who will be (at least at first) on a comparable level to Pickett/Rudolph does nothing but further cloud up the position. Now instead of two guys like that, you have three.

Drafting a quarterback in a mid/late round is a waste of a pick; he won’t be given an opportunity to truly compete for a starter’s role, and it will have taken away a pick that could have been used to shore up the roster in other areas.

Trade For A Quarterback

For: Justin Fields is the primary name that gets thrown around in trade rumors to the Steelers, and for understandable reason. Holding the first overall pick thanks to Carolina, Chicago will have the chance to draft either Caleb Williams or Drake Maye with the first selection, if they choose. If they opt to do that, they’ll trade Fields and bring back a hull in return.

Fields would be a great addition to the Steelers; he has the talent, he just needs the surrounding pieces. Pittsburgh might not have it all figured out, but I think they are farther along on the offensive side of the ball than Chicago is. Fields is highly athletic, and brings a dual threat player to the quarterback position that the Steelers have lacked for several years now.

Against: There’s no question that Fields is immensely talented, but that works to discredit a trade for him in this case. The Steelers would have to give up a ton of draft capital, which harms their ability to round out the roster in other ways.

Additionally, Fields is entering the final year of his rookie contract in 2024. Pittsburgh would have to be ready to pay Fields a TON of money moving forward, something they would not have to do with several of the other options on this list.

Sign A Quarterback In Free Agency

For: Similarly to Justin Fields, Kirk Cousins is typically the guy who is linked (at least by fans) to the Steelers in this option. Though I think there is far less smoke here than the Fields route, I’ll still endorse it for this: signing a proven veteran could pave the way for this offense to massively improve in 2024.

Someone who has been in the league a while (and has been good, that is a requirement!) can help lead the third-youngest offense that has all the talent, just not lots of experience.

Against: Also like Fields, a free agent like Cousins will cost a fortune to get. The Steelers rarely spend large amounts in free agency, and would be incredibly unlikely to hand that money out to one position.

While the veteran aspect can be appealing, there’s also something to be said for a young guy taking the role instead. If the free agent is Cousins, he will be turning 36 next season. Even if he plays well, he is not a long-term solution to the quarterback position. He isn’t someone who can grow with the offense. And then, you’ll have the same question again a few years later.

(Featured photo of Kenny Pickett by Karl Roser/Pittsburgh Steelers)